Other Regions in Asia

South-central Asia Weather Overview

South-central
Asia includes: Afghanistan,
Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan,
Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan,
Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan. As it covers such a large area the region
envelopes many climatic regions, seeing from tropical to desert weather
conditions depending on location. South-central Asia
is largely semi-arid and desert. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau encroaches on some
eastern regions, bringing with it a harsh highland climate. Southern regions
are sub-tropical with the extreme south seeing a true tropical climate. It goes
without saying that each location owes its climate to its distance from the sea,
proximity to the equator, surrounding topography and its own elevation.
Therefore, even within a stable climatic region, smaller microclimates are
often in existence which makes the affected areas atypical of their surrounding
areas.

Iran, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in
the west of this region are arid places with large areas of desert. Their
climate is typified as receiving minimal rainfall, sharp fluctuations in
temperature between night and day, blistering summers, mild winters and
sandstorms. Most flat regions conform to this description, seeing average
summer temperatures in the mid 40s in the day time dropping to the mid 20s at
night. Winters usually see daytime temperatures around 20°C while at night it can get down
to freezing. Winters are also
when the sandstorms are most frequent, often shifting tons of sand hundreds of
miles, sometimes dropping it on the surrounding urban areas. Any rainfall
usually occurs between January and May. The deserts of these countries
developed as a result of huge rain shadows thrown by the mountainous terrain.
The many mountains, including the Himalayas
trap monsoon winds and preventing them from passing over these areas. They also
prevent the passage of Arctic winds which would cool the region.

Iranâs north coast meets the Persian
Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and its south coast is on the Caspian
Sea. The north coast receives hot, humid summers of increased
rainfall, and mild winters. The Caspian coastline, which is shared by Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, receives a sub-tropical
climate. Otherwise the area is dominated by harsh deserts and rugged, high
mountains. Higher elevations see much cooler temperatures and mountain peaks
are covered in snow and ice. Areas near water are usually highly cultivated,
making the most of this spare resource.

Pakistan, Afghanistan
and Tajikistan
for the most part share the climate of the north-western neighbours, but in the
eastern areas of these countries a highland plateau sees colder temperatures
and similarly low precipitation that often falls in the form of hailstorms.
Most of Nepal
is part of this plateau. While still seeing extremely high temperatures in the
40s in summer and mild winters around 2°C, Pakistanâs
location on the Arabian Sea means it is susceptible to the monsoons of the Indian Ocean. While it is still a dry country, it is
wetter than its northern neighbours.

India, Bangladesh
and Bhutan
receive warm, temperate climates and fall within the humid sub-tropical
climatic zone. They receive all four seasons with a monsoon season occurring
during the summer months from July till September, with a slight lag in this
season from south to north due to the monsoon windsâ direction of travel.
Because of the monsoon, these countries are sometimes described as having five
seasons. The varied weather of these countries sees a constantly changing
landscape with the growth cycle of rich vegetation. Summers are very hot and
humid and winters can get quite cool with heavy snowfall in mountainous areas.
Northwest India and a thin strip of land running from north to south India sees a return to the semi-arid conditions
of north-western areas of south-central Asia, as the Western
Ghats join the Deccan Plateau. Again, the largest topographical
feature affecting the climate of these countries is the Himalayan Mountain
range. They keep the area warm and keep the monsoons on their south, promoting
heavy rainfall on the lower, southern regions right next to the Himalayas, known as the Terai region. Northern regions,
being typically more mountainous, generally see lower temperatures and more
winter snow than southern and coastal regions. Coastal regions can be at risk
of hurricanes from April to December, with two peak risk times from April to
June and from September to early December. Many of these areas were badly hit
by the 2004 tsunami.

Sri Lanka, which lies to the southeast of Indiaâs southern tip, and the Maldives, which sit off to Indiaâs southwest, are tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. They receive hot and humid weather all year
round and have two seasons: one wet, monsoon season from April to November, and
one dry season from December to March. The temperature in both areas is usually
around 30°C and humidity is
generally uncomfortably high. These high temperatures are tempered by sea
breezes all over the Maldives
and in coastal regions of Sri
Lanka. The Maldives form the lowest country in
the world with a maximum altitude of 2.3m. This makes them particularly
susceptible to the moderating effects of the sea, and they are usually a few
degrees cooler than Sri
Lanka. The lack of high land also means that
dry season sunshine on these islands is rarely hampered by clouds. Coral reefs
act as storm barriers but were no match for the 2004 tsunami that completely
devastated them and much of Sri
Lankaâs northern coast. The mountains on Sri Lanka cause
higher precipitation levels on the northwest side of the island. Again,
hurricanes are possible with peak risk times falling between April and June,
September and early December.

Any area visited by monsoons sees
rainfall concentrated in short torrential storms. This can cause flash flooding
and landslides. Severe flooding in the southern regions of south-central Asia causes extensive damage and loss of life every year.
As a tourist it is important to keep an eye on the weather and areas at higher
risk of hurricanes and floods. Even if youâre going to laugh in the face of
danger, flooding can cause restricting logistical problems in terms of
transport and accommodation. It is also important to research the political
status of these countries before travelling to them as many areas are prone to
unrest which can sometimes lead to violence.